Lexmark CX522ade: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Lexmark CX522ade right for you?

The CX522ade is a 35 ppm colour MFP with fax and a duplexing ADF that is widely placed in small offices under managed-print contracts. It shares consumables with the CS521 printer, which simplifies supplies. Expect the scanner glass strip to need cleaning regularly to avoid lines on copies, and be aware the colour imaging kit is a single expensive part covering all three colours.

Best for: Small offices needing a colour MFP with fax and shared supplies with a CS521

Setting up the Lexmark CX522ade

After the touchscreen wizard, use the Embedded Web Server to set a static IP, SMTP for scan-to-email, SMB destinations and fax forwarding. Install the Lexmark Universal Print Driver on Windows; PostScript is preferable for graphics. Keep firmware current for scan-to-SMB compatibility with modern Windows servers.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the toner cartridge and drum unit, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Lexmark's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Lexmark CX522ade uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• 78C10K0 black toner (2,000 pages)
• 78C10C0 / 78C10M0 / 78C10Y0 color toner (1,400 pages each)
• 78C1XK0 extra high-yield black toner (8,500 pages)
• 78C1XC0 / 78C1XM0 / 78C1XY0 extra high-yield color toner (5,000 pages each)
• 78C0ZK0 black imaging kit
• 78C0ZV0 color imaging kit

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications